Passion Rekindled – Making Love, Making Art
The morning after their promise, something felt different.
Not just between them—but within them.
Doris woke up wrapped in Dante's arms, his breath warm against her neck. She didn't move. Just listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat, steady and sure.
He stirred behind her.
"Morning," he murmured into her hair.
She smiled. "You're still here."
"I told you I would be."
She turned in his arms, facing him. "And I'm going to hold you to that."
He kissed her softly.
Then grinned. "What are we doing today?"
She leaned closer. "Well… I was thinking of sketching you again."
His brow lifted. "Naked?"
She laughed. "Maybe."
He rolled on top of her. "Then I definitely don't have plans."
They spent the morning tangled in sheets, making love like they were rewriting the story they'd almost lost.
Later, she sat at her desk, sketchbook open, drawing him as he played piano—barefoot, shirtless, eyes closed in concentration.
He looked over.
"You've drawn me more than anyone else."
She met his gaze. "That's because you inspire me."
He walked over, kissed her forehead.
"And you make me want to create again."
She touched his hand. "Let's make something together."
He nodded.
"We already are."
---
Flashback – Dante's Past Flame
That afternoon, while organizing old files, Doris found a photo tucked inside one of Dante's lyric books.
It was him.
With another woman.
Smiling.
Kissing.
Happy.
Her chest tightened.
She stared at it for a long time before Dante walked in.
He saw the photo.
Sighed.
"I was going to tell you."
"When?" she asked quietly.
He sat beside her. "I don't know. It never felt like the right time."
She handed him the picture. "Who is she?"
"Her name was Elise," he admitted. "We dated briefly after Lila died."
Doris swallowed hard.
"Was it serious?"
He shook his head. "No. It was… messy. I thought if I could replace the pain with someone else, I wouldn't feel so empty."
She looked at him. "Did it work?"
"No," he said honestly. "All it did was remind me how much I missed her—and how broken I still was."
Doris exhaled slowly.
"Why are you telling me this now?"
"Because I don't want there to be any ghosts between us," he said. "Only you."
She studied his face.
Then reached for his hand.
"I don't want to be your replacement either."
"You never were," he whispered. "You're my beginning."
She kissed him gently.
And believed him.
---
Creative Breakthrough – Fashion Show Preview
Two weeks later, Marlowe & Co. held a preview for Doris's new collection—Fire & Ink.
It was raw.
Bold.
Full of emotion.
Each piece reflected a moment in her relationship with Dante—passion, pain, rebirth.
Clara walked through the display, hands clasped behind her back.
She stopped at a dress made entirely of black silk with red embroidery shaped like musical notes.
"This is incredible," she murmured.
Doris stood beside her. "Thank you."
Clara turned to her. "You've grown so much since you first came here."
Doris smiled. "So have I."
Clara gave her a knowing look. "And so has he."
Dante entered the studio then, carrying his guitar case.
He walked straight to Doris.
"You ready?"
She nodded.
He set up his guitar.
And played a song inspired by her designs.
Live.
For the first time in years.
As the music filled the room, everyone watched in awe.
When he finished, Clara clapped.
"That's not just music," she said. "That's magic."
Doris looked at him.
And whispered:
"You were amazing."
He kissed her cheek.
"We were."
---
Victor Returns – Old Ghosts, New Threats
After the show, Doris received an unexpected email.
From Victor Hale.
Dear Doris,
I hope you're well. I wanted to apologize—for everything.
Lila was a brilliant artist, and I regret how things ended.
I'm reaching out because I've been contacted by a journalist who wants to write about Dante.
There are some things in his past that might come to light soon.
If you care about him, you should warn him.
– V.H.
She read it twice.
Then showed it to Dante.
His face went cold.
"They won't stop," he muttered.
She frowned. "What do you mean?"
He looked at her. "Victor never gives up. He thrives on chaos."
She gripped his arm. "Then we need to get ahead of this."
He nodded. "We go public first."
She blinked. "You want to talk about Lila? On record?"
"Yes," he said firmly. "Before someone twists the truth again."
---
Press Conference – Truth Over Lies
A week later, Marlowe & Co. hosted a press conference.
Reporters gathered in the studio, cameras flashing.
Dante and Doris stood side by side on stage.
Clara introduced them.
Then stepped aside.
Dante took the mic.
"I've stayed silent for too long," he began. "About Lila. About my past. About the guilt I carried for years."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"I loved her," he continued. "But I couldn't save her. And I've lived with that every day."
Doris squeezed his hand.
He kept going.
"But what I won't do anymore is let people twist our story into something it wasn't."
He pulled out a flash drive.
"This is audio proof of Victor Hale's manipulation. His threats. His control."
He handed it to a reporter.
"And if you want the truth, start there."
The room erupted into questions.
Dante turned to Doris.
And smiled.
She kissed him softly.
"You were incredible."
He chuckled. "We were."
---
Our Fire Won't Fade
That night, they returned home exhausted but victorious.
Dante played piano.
Doris sketched beside him.
They talked about the future.
Children.
Wedding.
Home.
Real.
Together.
He looked at her.
"What happens next?"
She smiled.
"We keep burning."
He kissed her.
And held on.
Because this time…
They weren't letting go.